possible that the bearers of colours that range between the white mound
and the jackdaw could be transparent, while at the same time the possibility of opacity cannot be ruled out, if there is blue or earthen colour
present. Because of this, the Arabs compare the purest white colour to
silver. Here it is not transparency that is implied, as silver is not transparent, and therefore God has said:
(Bright as glass) but (made) of silver which they (themselves)
have measured to the measure of their deeds. 100
Since the Qur'an was first addressed to the Arabs, they were instructed according to their customs and traditions. One example is the
image of the honeybees which is in accordance with the observations of
the Arabs about them. They saw the honeybees sucking the juices of
flowers and there were no other passages except for those above and below. They, therefore, thought that honey was their food which they expelled from both their openings. Therefore, a poet (Tirimmah) says:
What (the bee) collects in the honeycomb she makes into honey-dew
and honey. She stores and guards it.
And therefore, the Qur'an says that the honey-dew comes out of
their stomachs, since the stomach is closer and its mouth serves as the
womb, although the bee sucks something like alcohol (nectar) from the
flowers through its proboscis in the direction of its legs, transports it to
the honey-comb, and stores it there for its offspring, so that she might
have food stored even when there are no flowers or fruit. That which
comes out of the lower orifice has the foulest smell in the world, but
which she, being inclined towards cleanliness and purity, utilizes in
guarding the combs, especially as she is excessively fond of fragrant and
delicious things.
As far as the axis of the crystal is concerned, it has the same weight
as \aza\ and not to the contrary. It is brought from the island of Zanj
and other islands to Basrah, where vessels are made. Large and small
pieces are collected at one place. Instructions are tagged upon pieces
that are to be cut and shaped and the types of vessels that are to be made
from them. They are then handed over to the artisans who follow the
instructions and collect high wages. These wages are far higher than
those of the persons who measure the pieces and put down the instructions. There is considerable difference between knowledge and the practice of that knowledge. This crystal possesses the tenuity of the air and
the transparency of water. If a hole, knot, or cloudiness tells upon its
transparency, it is masked by some etched design or inscription, requiring considerable expertise. Should this defect engulf the whole piece and
remove its transparency, it is denoted as rim billur (the dross of the
crystal).
It is brought from Kashmir also. Some sections are uncut and some
